Military Analysis: The Turkish 2nd Army. Invasion Force for Syria?4.7391304347826 out of 5 based on 23 ratings. 23 user reviews.

Military Analysis: The Turkish 2nd Army. Invasion Force for Syria?

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Amid Turkish preparations for a military intervention in Syria, main stream media and think tanks prefer to provide political speculations and local rumors instead of facts and analysis. SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence stands on another ground and provides an exclusive paper studying the Turkish military grouping which will be likely used in this operation. We also recommend that you view an exclusive video ‘Foreign Policy Diary – Turkey’s military intervention to Syria‘, which covers the possible results of this act of aggression.

Written by Brian Kalman exclusively for SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence. Brian Kalman is a management professional in the marine transportation industry. He was an officer in the US Navy for eleven years. He currently resides and works in the Caribbean.

Recent public comments by the Turkish government have hinted at a possible invasion into Syrian territory to “stabilize” the situation and secure Turkey’s national security. Significant clashes between Turkish army and security forces with elements of the YPG and PKK, which have exacted a costly toll on the Kurdish civilian population have been raging in southern Turkey and northern Syria in recent months. Russian satellite surveillance and human intelligence employed by both Russian and Syria in the region have confirmed the build-up of troops and material on the border.

It is reasonable to believe that Turkey is preparing to salvage its failed policy of supporting Islamic fundamentalist mercenaries and terrorist groups in Syria by invading and establishing a safe area for these groups along its southern border with Syria, while at the same time dealing a crushing blow to the Kurdish forces that have been successful in fighting them. Turkey is not only trying to topple the Assad government in Syrian, but is also trying to liquidate the Kurdish threat both in Iraq and Syria, as well as within its own borders.

Turkey’s membership in NATO complicates its plans of invasion. Unless Turkey is itself attacked, the NATO alliance is not obligated to defend the nation. Turkey will have to engineer a provocation that frames it as the target of an aggression either by Kurdish forces from beyond its borders or by Syrian or Russian forces combating its terrorist allies in Syria. Such a false flag provocation in not outside of the realm of possibility. When a Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Su-24, claims that the bomber had strayed into Turkish airspace for a number of minutes and ignored radio warnings from the Turkish aircraft were proven to be patently false. A year earlier in 2014, an audio recording of Turkish officials, including the head of the Security Service (MIT), Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Foreign Minister and the Undersecretary to the Foreign Minister discussing staging an attack on the Tomb of Suleiman Shah (a sovereign piece of Turkish territory) in Syria and using it as a pretext to intervene in Syria were leaked anonymously on YouTube. The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan responded by banning YouTube in Turkey, in affect giving support to the recordings authenticity. Now that the Syrian government has the upper hand militarily, gaining back territory and destroying, surrounding or pushing back various Turkish-backed terrorist forces, Turkey may be ready to engineer a new excuse to invade.

It is most likely that elements of the Turkish Second Army are positioned along the southern border with Syria, and will form the nucleus of any invasion force. The 2nd Army is responsible for defending Southwestern Turkey. Its headquarters is based in Malatya, with approximately 100,000 troops under its command. The army is comprised of three corps, the 4th, 6th and 7th which are composed of the following units:

3rd Tactical Infantry Division

28th Mechanized Infantry Brigade

58th Artillery Brigade

1st Commando Brigade

2nd Commando Brigade

5th Armored Brigade

39th Mechanized Infantry Brigade

106th Artillery Regiment

34th Border Brigade

16th Mechanized Brigade (Diyarbakır)

20th Armored Brigade

70th Mechanized Infantry Brigade

172nd Armored Brigade

2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade

6th Motorized Infantry Brigade

3rd Commando Brigade

107th Artillery Regiment

It is not known how many elements of the 2nd Army have been committed to the build-up of forces on the border, nor how many elements of other Armies of the Turkish Armed Forces have been temporarily attached to this possible invasion force. Additional commando or mechanized units could be pooled from other military districts and added to the core of mechanized infantry, armor and artillery forces of the 2nd Army. It is surmised that most of the 2nd Army has been committed to a possible invasion or a limited offensive operation against the forces of the YPG all along the border. The map below shows the position of these units:

Photographic evidence shows that the mechanized and armored forces being used in the internal operations against the Kurds within Turkey and Syria and also the incursion into northern Iraq, are composed of relatively modern tanks and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). Reports have recently been made public that over 1,000 pieces of military equipment, likely consisting of MBTs, IFVs, self-propelled and towed artillery and their prime movers, as well as trucks and light vehicles have been massing in staging areas just north of the border. Turkish military spokesmen have stressed that they have positioned approximately 30 percent of the Turkish land forces along the border with Syria.

The troops belonging to these units are highly trained and motivated. They have been engaged in fighting in the border regions for many years and know the territory well. They have also been engaged in fighting the irregular forces of the PKK in urban areas for decades. The forces assembled are equipped with modern, effective combat arms and equipment that has been proven in battle.

From video and photographic evidence, Turkey has deployed at least the following types of equipment:

MBTs:

M-60T (Turkish version of the Israeli Sabra Mk.II).Turkey has 170 M-60-Ts in service. This modernized and up-gunner version of the M-60, is an Israeli design. It boasts better armor protection than the M-60A3, as well as a more powerful 120mm main gun and better fire-control and imaging systems.

A modernized M-60T (Sabra Mk. II) on maneuvers.

M-60 ATT and A3. Turkey has 762 of these U.S. designed tanks in service. This is a sound tank design, but is not on par with later generation MBTs. Armored units, possibly of the 5th, 20th or 172nd Armored Brigades utilizing large numbers of these tanks have been seen deploying to the southern border in the previous weeks. They were used during incursions into Syria and Iraq in earlier operations to combat Kurdish forces in both nations.

M-60 ATT/A3s deployed in northern Iraq in 2015, most likely of the 172nd Armored Brigade.

Leopard 2A4. Turkey has 354 of these highly capable German manufactured tanks. It does not appear that these MBTs are in use by any of the armored units currently deployed in operations against the Kurds in the south of the country, nor incursions into Syria or Iraq. It is most likely that these more capable MBTs are with units tasked with guarding Turkey’s border with Russia and the Caucasus, where they would have to fight against a much more capable adversary, utilizing more modern and capable MBTS and Anti-Tank (AT) weapons.

IFVs:

FNSS ACV-15. Based on the Turkish Army’s experience with the U.S. M113, the ACV-15 is an indigenous design that has many variants including APCs, Mortar Carriers, Ambulances, and ARVs. The IFV is equipped with a 25mm cannon.

A recent photograph of a mechanized unit equipped with ACV-15s assembled in the Turkish town of Suruc, approximately 100 miles north of the Syrian city and stronghold of ISIS, Raqqa.

MRAPs:

Kirpi (Hedgehog). Turkey acquired MRAPs after the U.S. invasion of Iraq exhibited the weakness of most light vehicles when confronted with IEDs and urban ambush. Turkey has between 200 and 600 MRAPs of this indigenous design.

Turkish Army Kirpi MRAP on duty somewhere in southern Turkey.

Approximately 1200 of these small MRAPs exist in the Turkish Land Forces inventory. These are small utility vehicles much like the Russian Tiger or U.S. HUMMV; however they have increased survivability against mines and IEDs, as they were purpose built to deal with these threats. They are widely used by all Turkish land forces, including border and internal security forces.

Cobras being utilized by a Turkish Army Border Brigade in southern Turkey.

Self- Propelled Artillery:

T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzer. The T-155 was the product of a joint venture with South Korea to develop a more modern self-propelled howitzer. The South Korean variant is known as the K9. The Turkish Firtina makes use of the chassis and 155mm/L52 gun of the South Korean K-9, but uses an indigenous turret design, and navigation, communications and fire-control systems. There are at least 280 units in service with the Turkish Army.

T-155 self-propelled howitzers on the firing line.

M-52T self-propelled howitzer. A major modernization program was conducted in the 1990s to modernize a weapons system that was developed in the 1950s by the United States. The vehicle was up-gunned from a 105mm howitzer to a German produced 155mm L39 gun. Turret design was modernized and electronics systems were brought up to modern standards including communications and fire-control. There are at least 360 units in service.

M-52Ts being moved into forward positions via prime movers in recent weeks. This is faster, more efficient and aids in overall maintenance when moving military hardware over long distances.

Air-Defense Artillery:

Atilgan and Zipkin short range AA missile system. These pedestal mounted air defense systems (PMAD) have been mounted on various vehicles, including the ubiquitous ACV-15 and M-113. They can fire Igla or Stinger short range anti-aircraft missiles. They are deployed with mechanized and armored units to give them their own short range defense against both low flying fixed wing and rotary wing attack aircraft.

This Atilgan unit appears to be based on an M-113 chassis. It is forward deployed with a tank platoon equipped with M-60 ATT/A3s. This picture was taken in 2015 in northern Iraq.

The most obvious strategic aim of a Turkish invasion into Syrian territory would be to secure a sizable “safe zone” for Turkish-backed insurgents and terrorist forces in northern Syria. Not only would this salvage the Turkish proxies for future use, possibly in guerilla style attacks and acts of terrorism against Syria, but would more importantly drive a wedge between the Kurdish YPG forces in Northwestern Syria (north of Idlib Province) and those located in the Northeastern Syria (east of Jarabulus).

Zone of the expected Turkish military invasion

The Turkish government is determined to make sure that the YPG does not gain control of the Kurdish dominated regions in an unbroken area all along the border. The YPG has recently been successful in attacks against Turkish-backed terrorists in small offensives in this “wedge” between YPG areas of control. These offensives have been backed by Russian air operations and with airdrops of weapons and ammunition in recent weeks. It is most likely the prospect of greater territorial gains by the Kurds that the Turkish Army will be deployed to prevent. How the Turkish military command plans to carry out such an operation successfully, and how the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Russia will respond will determine the course of the conflict and undoubtedly the odds of a wider war.

An initial observation of the forward deployment of Turkish Army units along the border with Syria gives hints as to their tactical employment in a possible invasion. Two armored brigades and two mechanized brigades are positioned just north of the border, adjacent to the area that is currently controlled by various terrorist groups and militias under the umbrella of support of the Turkish regime, and that lies in between the YPG dominated areas. Their axis of advance would cover, approximately the area between Azaz and Jarabulus, and would probably not extend beyond the depth of 20 to 25 miles (30 to 40 km).

Two armored and two mechanized brigades, representing approximately 15,000 to 20,000 men would be able to mount a fast assault. These units are highly mobile, flexible, and self-sufficient and pack a great deal of offensive power. They would most likely be aided by elements of at least one commando brigade. They could cover the 20-25 mile distance quickly and consolidate the area rapidly, and would be maintaining short lines of communication and supply. Fixed wing and rotary wing attack aircraft would be assigned to provide air cover to the ground operation. The initial assault would most certainly be followed up by the advance of infantry and border patrol units to establish and provide internal security for the long haul.

Click to see the full-size map

The unknown variable for the Turkish military planners is the reaction of the Russian forces deployed within Syria, at the request of the only legitimate government of that country. Will the Russian air forces deployed in Syria react to thwart the incursion of a hostile force that aims to directly undermine the sovereignty of Syria? Will Russian air defense forces based at Khmeimim airbase or naval vessels positioned offshore fire upon Turkish aircraft that violate the sovereign airspace of Syria engaged in providing air cover for Turkish ground forces, and that could possibly threaten the Russian position in Latakia? There are a number of unknown variables that present immense uncertainties in the Turkish strategic calculus when planning such an undertaking.

The recent Russian snap drills by forces in the Southern Military District, which included the participation of airborne and air transport units, was a clear message to Turkey that Russia was prepared to defend her borders and her national interests in Syria. This is only the latest in a series of clear messages by the Russian leadership that it will not tolerate a Turkish sabotage of its campaign in Syria to restore order and to stabilize the situation in the country. The question remains, does the Erdogan regime believe that the potential benefits of setting up a de-facto safe haven for its proxies in Syria outweigh the potential of direct military conflict with Russia?

The determination of the Erdogan regime to undermine the sovereignty of Syria by supporting, both logistically, materially and monetarily various factions of Islamic fundamentalist mercenaries and terrorist groups, has only harmed the security of Turkey and strengthened the position of their long time enemy the Kurds. The past five years have enriched the bank accounts of the Erdogan family and their cronies through the illegal oil trade, human trafficking of refuges, and the smuggling of arms; however, the Turkish people have suffered from a bloody crack-down on the Kurdish minority in the south of the country, terrorist bombings, an assault on civil rights, press censorship and the erosion of Turkish-Russian relations to a level not seen since the darkest days of the Cold War.

This policy of intervention in the affairs of both Syria and Iraq, the support of a multitude of Islamic terrorist groups, and the undermining of neighboring countries to the benefit of a ruling elite in Turkey has been disastrous. It may turn out in the end that Turkey itself has been the most negatively affected by Erdogan’s misguided policies. NATO and Europe as a whole have been undermined, and it remains to be seen how much longer even they will tolerate the situation. Is NATO ready to be dragged into a war with Russia as a result of Turkey’s aggressive and misguided foreign policy? A pretext for invasion that casts Turkey as the victim will have to be engineered by the Erdogan regime prior to any incursion south in order to maintain NATO support.

By bringing to light, in embarrassing detail, the Erdogan regime’s illegal activities in direct support of internationally recognized terrorist groups and the illegal plunder of the oil resources of Syria and Iraq and the establishment and operation of the logistics network that facilitates the sale of the oil at great profit to the Erdogan family itself, Russia has laid the truth bear to the world. In so doing, they have also allowed Erdogan a way to back off the stage, so to speak, and abandon his misguided aspirations in Syria. Continued support by NATO and the United States in light of the ugly realities of Turkey’s actions in the conflict, will only undermine both parties’ legitimacy in the eyes of the international community.

Turkey most definitely has the military power in place to successfully carry out a limited invasion to establish a terrorist safe zone and to prohibit the consolidation of the entire northern border under the control of the Kurds; however the costs if this invasion is contested by Russia and Syria nullify any potential benefits. In short, further efforts to salvage a disastrous foreign policy on the part of the Erdogan regime through force of arms will only hasten their political isolation and destruction. The Turkish people deserve better, and as political opposition continues to grow in the government and on the street, a disastrous invasion just may push the current regime out of power. This would be a positive development; however, the very real possibility of a Turkish incursion developing into a wider war would prove disastrous to the entire world.

Well if Turkey attacks so NATO won`t defend it…. Then it would be perfect moment for Mother Russia to move in with full military strenght and crush the invading army like a cockroach including using topols with conventional warheads. Crush them to dust show the power of the Slavic motherland let them feel the wrath and revenge for the SU-24.

Kadir Susuz

I hope so.

%50 of Turkish population loves Erdogan as his new prophet of islam.Other %50 secularist Turkish (Kemalists) citizens hates him as hell.

We need a ignition for rebel/protest.As we did at Gezi protest 2013 (Around 3.5 million young people has did it) we would do it again. But we have no media power.Every dissident newspapers got closed and arrested.Every dissident TV Channels got closed too. Literally 1984 happening.

Turkish Army has did so many coups.But this Erdogan regime has cleared Army’s old generals.So there is too hard to get new coup for Turkey.

We need your support.Please listen another %50 of Turkey.They are ready to rebel.Otherwise say goodbye to secular Turkey and be prepare to new immigration wave.(There are 3 million Syrians in Turkey.If Erdogan would make war with Russia or Syria they will go to EU as crazy donkeys.)

I will move out Turkey as soon as possible.I’ve got Business contract from General motors as Nuclear engineer.So many educated secularist kemalist Turks has lifted from Turkey. That’s sad, your EU and USA are helping this Islamist-Neo ottomanist Erdogan regime.

If you gonna keep doing this, after that do not blame Turkey.

emre

lol

emre

very idiotic i am atheist and kemalist u right i hate erdogan but more hate terrorists. we never be with fucking kurds or russia. you will be dead

Bruno

This would end NATO/Western news Media claims of Russia being the aggressor.

doodaa

Don’t think that imperialist NATO(US) will not back Turkey/Saudi. The f*cks in charge there are armchair generals immune to personal injury. Obammy fired all the good military commanders and replaced them with pussys that don’t know how to apply a band-aid.

Igor Dano

Russia has in their military doctrine a use of tactical nuclear weapons in a case of threat. Well take them and nuke that territory right away NOW.

Erdogan is going to have a fatal ‘accident’. The army hates him, the EU are freaked his squeezing their balls on the refugee business. He’s a loose cannon to the Americans. Somebody will arrange his demise. His fixation against the Kurds drives them into the Syrian/Russian/Iranian/Iraqi camp.

With Erdogan you get civil war with your order of invade Syria. The army will revolt or refuse. In any case they would be stretched thin fighting against Kurds and secular rebels in arms in Turkey plus fighting the Kurds at and across their borders plus fighting the Syrian/Russian/Iranian/Iraqi/Hezbollah mob rather firmly entrenched and feeling their oats. The Turkish army can take on all these tasks OR they can overthrow Erdogan.

Now taking bets.

Any Mouse

Don’t underestimate the capacity of the Turkish armed forces nor the lust for blood among those who lead it and many of those who field it.

They can take on all those threats for NATO has been fishing for WWIII since first half of 2012, and the masses of NATO countries are not hard to fool.

Those conglomerates + national radio and TV services can, have and will LIE again.

SEAN THOMAS

No sane person would take the Turks lightly, but are they a match for both Iran and Russia?

doodaa

In WWII, the Germans were terrified of the Turks.

SEAN THOMAS

Turkey entered WW2 in February of 1945. LOL!

Birol Yıldız

Actually turkey fought in WW1 and didnt lose any battle just had surrender cause allies surrendered.

doodaa

My bet is NATO will back the psycho.

Mark Tyrone Chia

The best prevention is a Russian ground force deployment in the borders on the side of Syria. Mad Turks would hesitate to attack Russian forces on the ground but have no compunction against attacking Syrian forces directly. Same principle as South Ossetia.

Mahmoud Larfi

My bet is on Syria applying to CSTO membership as well as Iran being confirmed into the organisation. On the other hand, there could probably be internal Turkish military discussions being currently held in secrecy about the near future of Erdogan and his clan.

Dragon

Turkish Leo-2A4s are stationed in European Turkey, against Greek Army. Turks moved M60T and other equipment stationed in European Turkey to form the force to invade Syria.

geo1671

Hey guys—Turkey was appointed by USA to be part of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Notice Turkey is no where near the Atlantic). America’s military uses Turkey’s airports. And for what sinister purpose> America was planning by using Turkey against Syria decades ago. Get this-Turkey takes orders from Uncle Scam. Turkey expects to do the same(Buffer zone stealing Syria lands) as Israel occupies Golan Heights-expecting jUSA protection at UN

doodaa

I think the US has been making promises that they cannot keep.

Steven

Turkey’s importance to NATO is it’s ability to control access to the Black sea and southern Russia. Then there is the historical animosity between the Turks and Russians. It isn’t about the Atlantic ocean it is about geopolitical strategy and mutual interest that over rides the past activities of the Ottoman Empire. Otherwise there would be an iron curtain on the border with Turkey on one side and Greece and Bulgaria on the other. THERE WOULD BE NO INVASION OF ANY KIND ALLOWED INTO EUROPE . Europe and Russia would be all white and Christian and there would be no nonsense about it.

Strayhorse

Russia is the Christian advocate in the Middle East. ISIS/ISIL, Saudii Arabia, Turkey, Israel, George Soros, Henry Kissinger, David Rockafeller, Wall Street and the Fed Reserve are all anti-Christian. 3/4 of the population of America are Christian or Christian leaning – who do you think Americans are in favor of destroying ISIS/ISIL, Radical Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood?

Stendec

Russia is truly a Christian god fearing Nation…God bless Russia the shining star on top of the hill !

Bring it on you FILTHY TURKS…this war will go viral Turks outside Turkey be ready you filthy BASTARDS……I’ve been waiting for this long time!!! No mercy only God offer mercy get ready!!!

Tom

A hat tip to author Brian Kalman for writing a well-thought-out, informationive, and brutally honest analysis.

Today I’ve been pondering where and when responsibility for evil and illegal international acts falls upon the government and when it falls upon the people. The fuzzy dividing line is how much power the people actually have to stop the acts, or how much they knowingly support the acts. All too often nations humiliate themselves by committing barbaric acts. Turkey and the Turkish people have been right up there with the worst of them. Let us pray they come to their senses and don’t do it again. This time their humiliation will be swift and bloody.

doodaa

Get your war on..babies. Don’t think it will be contained in Syria. There are some hard headed numb nuts Motherf****rs here in the good old USA that can’t wait to start the sh*t right here……thanks to Obammy. Buy ammo and food, it’s coming. Not by choice, by design. Stand tall or get on your knees.

Any war presumed against Russia some 2 years or more ago was based on the assumption that Russia was a wick acid.Upon realising that Russia is much stronger than they inmagined they do not know how to bow out of this situation than to sacrifice Turkey and Saudi.These two are being led into bancrupcy.

Wulver

Operation Vengeance was conducted on April 18, 1943, and resulted in the death of Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto. President Erdoğan ought to consider that he will be targeted if he initiates an attack on Syria, Yamamoto found out the hard way.

yep

come on you fiftly turks, and saudis, come on, and then we will nuke your army, and then we will invade turkey and put it out of its misery, period

justin otherdummy

The western MSM is a joke and just as guilty as the people behind the decisions that have led the US to the looming disaster we face.

The only question that remains is how far are the people in the US going to let it go before taking our government back.

It is our responsibility to not follow these psycho’s who have stolen elections and power.

It is our duty and we have been asleep at the switch for too long. It’s time to wake the hell up and do something about it.

To the government, the media, and most importantly the ones pulling their strings. Their game needs to be over.

Peace

Talkative_mime

If Turkey does invade syria, this gives it the right to block the strait (as per Montreux Convention) to Russian war ships, with no supplies Russian military will struggle to maintain the momentum. Attacking the Strait will then give Nato the green light to intervene. US and Nato will not allow Russia to get a foothold in the neighbourhood, this strait is the key, how will Russia supply its military? Transport via air will cost a fortune and will not be sufficient, by Sea well the long way around is not reliable. I don’t think Russia realizes this they have fallen into a Nato trap.

willyvandamme

Interesting stuff.

willyvandamme

It is worth nothing that NATO took over the control from Erdogan of his airspace, the result of Erdogan shooting down that Russian plane. It is also worth noting Erdogan supports the Iraqi Kurds government and at the same time ISIS. With both being at war.